Hi Friends!
I’m excited to be linking up this tour to Jennifer Rizzo’s {2016 Holiday Housewalk Linky Party}! You can click on the image below to see who else is joining in!
If you’ve just come over from from In My Own Style or are visiting for the first time today, hi! I’m Laura and I’m so glad you’re here. And if you’ve been a reader here from my way-back-beginning blogging days just over a year ago, thank you so much for your support!
I appreciate each of you and am so flattered that you’ve stopped by to see my Christmas tour today.
I’m excited to be joining Krista over at The Happy Housie and 17 other incredibly talented bloggers who are opening up their homes for Krista’s ‘All Through the House’ Christmas Tour this year!
Before we really get into this tour…
I need to apologize! Friends, this is bound to be an epically long blog post with a gazillion photos, so be forewarned! š I’m actually expecting my fourth baby girl in 3 weeks, and when I was planning for Christmas this year, I had no idea how much of my house I’d be able to get decorated, and decided I’d better play it safe and just do one tour this year.
Well, the nesting hormones kicked in and I ended up decorating a little more than I thought I’d have the energy for, which was great. But now, here I am, trying to squeeze everything into one tour!
I hope it’s not too much, and that you’ll enjoy this little Christmas ‘scroll’ through our home š So, with coffee in hand and slippers on our feet, let’s continue!
Our Christmas tree is stuffed to the brim with the kids’ ornaments, and as much as I’d sometimes love to go in a more grown up and pulled together direction with it, I’m thrilled that it makes them so happy to see all of the ornaments that they remember being given, or painting, or picking out themselves up on the tree.
{DIY ADVENT CALENDAR TUTORIAL HERE}
When I decorate our house for any season, really, I’m always aiming to keep things feeling approachable and down to earth. I don’t feel comfortable spending loads of money decorating my home, so I do my best to find creative ways to create a higher end look on a shoestring. I actually made the advent calendar that you see above for $25 last year! You can click on the link up there to find the sources and to see how it was done.
I reuse what I have and craft the things I want whenever I can, and my husband and I adore Craigslist. We actually made this ? ginger jar lamp too!
{GINGER JAR LAMP TUTORIAL HERE}
I bring things in from outside and cut my own greenery, and I just love the cozy, natural look that elements like these lend to a home.
Alright, and now for the kitchen!
We redid this space last winter {you can read the full backstory on why we redid our kitchen here} and find lots of {sources for the space here.} We still have a few loose ends to tie up (like the hood, which we’re custom building ourselves and I’m trying so hard to patiently wait for!)
There isn’t anything wrong with the old one, but it’s not what I envisioned when I planned the renovation, and I’ve carefully cropped it out of photos whenever I’ve shared this space before because of that. The one that we’re going to build will have a much more down to earth vibe. So, some of these shots are never before seen angles of the kitchen (that I’m sharing self consciously with all of you!) š
Can I get personal for a sec, Friends?
I grew up in a home with very few new ‘things.’
My parents fell on hard times when we were all young, and my siblings and I certainly didn’t grow up spoiled. Our clothes were mostly hand me downs and there wasn’t extra money laying around for new furniture or decorations.
{DIY CHALKBOARD DOOR TUTORIAL HERE}
Our kitchen wasn’t ever freshly remodeled, and there were lots of repairs that needed to be done around the house that there simply wasn’t money for, despite how hard my parents worked.
But the one thing that we always had plenty of, was love.
My parents raised us to love each other, to love Jesus, and to never take the important things in life for granted. That’s something I’ve carried with me, and it’s those intangible things that we can really ever take with us anyway.
{DIY ANTIQUED CHRISTMAS BELL GARLAND HERE}
Those are the values that are honestly on my mind whenever I’m decorating my home, and I feel it even more so at this time of year.
I think at Christmas especially, feelings of inadequacy want to creep into our hearts. The catalogs come in the mail and we’re bombarded with beautiful images of spaces and places and objects, all silently promising to somehow make our lives better. Well, I can assure you that what you see in these photos is not our normal. They are styled to be beautiful, and making things beautiful is something I’m passionate about – to create is a need and an outlet for me. But it’s also something that I only have time to do at night, or when the girls are out playing. With three little kiddos, and another one on the way, there are toys, and mismatched socks, and legos, and cereal bits being tossed on the floor at any every given moment around here!
So while it’s my aim to share ideas and inspiration with you to create a warm and welcoming home for the people in your life that you love, I also want to keep it real. Life is messy and no one’s home is perfect in every way. I hope that when you stop by and visit, you’ll remember that. I hope that the ideas that I’m able to share with feel inspiring and doable.
Because more than anything else, more than the colors on the walls or the fluffiness of the pillows, or the perfectly coiffed photos, what we all really want is to create sanctuaries for our families that are designed in ways that work for us, within our own individual means, no matter how grand or humble they may be. I think above all else, we want our kids to remember the love that was shared within our walls, and I hope that my home, and this blog, always reflects that.
I want that to be the message that’s conveyed to my girls when they walk through our front door. I want them to know, and to feel, that they are loved and that they are surrounded by memories, just as I did when I was young.
And during these weeks leading up to Christmas, my aim is to keep my heart, and my family’s hearts, focused on the true reason for this most wonderful holiday.
I’m so grateful that you’ve stopped by to take my tour today, and if you made it all the way to this point, thank you. I’m impressed! And I promise you my posts are not normally this long winded š
If you have questions or would like sources for anything you’ve seen in my tour, ask away! I’m happy to share!
And don’t forget to stop by Making Home Base next. Chelsea is so incredibly talented and I can’t wait to take her tour this year. I know it will be amazing! And check out below to see all of the other wonderful bloggers who are sharing their homes this week!
Merry Christmas, Everyone!
Laura ?
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and his name shall be called
Wonderful,
Counsellor,
The Mighty God,
The Everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
This week I’m joining up with some of my blogging friends to share a part of our holiday home for the All Through the House Tour.
I can’t wait to take in all this holiday inspiration…
Tuesday, December 6th
The Happy Housie / Life on Virginia Street / Two Twenty One
Rain on a Tin Roof / The Turquoise Home / Making it in the Mountains
Wednesday, December 7th
Maison de Pax / In My Own Style / Willow Street Interiors
Making Home Base /Bless’er House / House by Hoff
Thursday, December 8th
Nina Hendrick Design Co. / Just a Girl and Her Blog / Place of My Taste / Sunnyside Up
The Blissful Bee / Oh Everything Handmade
We hope you enjoy all of the beautiful Christmas decor inspiration!
Big Boy Bunk Room Reveal
Kitchen Plans and Progress
A Sweet, Little Announcement
How to Space Curtain Rings So They Hang Right Every Time
Absolutely stunning ! I love how you mix in Christmas with the beautiful blue in your decor.
Thanks so much, Marijean! It was too much work to move all the blue that I have out, so I worked it in š I’m glad you stopped by!!
Laura! I love what your shared; your writing and sentiment was a perfect reminder about what is truly important this time of year. Your beautiful, light filled home clearly reflects the light filled person you are inside, as well! Thanks for being part of this tour series; your home is absolutely gorgeous and the perfect backdrop to REAL life!
Aw, Krista, that means so much to me. Thank you so much for your kinds words. I’m so happy to be joining you and everyone else this year! You’re home is such an inspiration! xoxo
Hi Laura, You have a beautiful home. I loved your tour and your words ring so true to me right now. I just subscribed to your emails and I’m looking forward to keeping up with your blog!
That is so kind, Lisa! Thank you!!
What a heartfelt post and what a beautiful home you have! I can’t believe you made that gorgeous garland. Very inspiring š
Thank you so much, Jess! And thanks for stopping by! ā¤ļø
One of the coziest holiday home tours I’ve seen! I could easily curl up with a cup of coffee and good book!
Wow, Jenna! Thank you so much š I loved taking your tour today. All of your vintage pieces are amazing!! xoxo
Love your home!! It is so cozy. And thank you for the reminder that our homes do not need to be perfect. I was feeling overwhelmed tonight until I took your tour. I will be signing up for your emails. Can I ask where you got your bell garland and the light fixtures over your bookcase?
Hi Holly! I think lots of us feel that way at this time of year. I know I do! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. I appreciate it! I actually made the bell garland myself and it only took a 1/2 hour. The post is just one back from this one. And the sconces are from IKEA! āŗļø Merry Christmas!
Ohhhhhh my word, Laura! I am SO blown away by your tour!!! Seriously, every single detail is absolutely perfect. I think this is my favorite Christmas tour I’ve seen all year.
Oh my goodness, Lauren, you just made my day! That is such a compliment coming from you! I absolutely LOVED taking your tour today! ā¤ļøā¤ļøā¤ļø
So pretty, Laura! Your styling is gorgeous! Your kitchen is absolutely stunning, and I never get tired of looking at it. xo
Thank you so much, April! I’m so happy you popped in! That is so kind of you! xoxo
Sweet Laura, I have been on a Christmas journey of your home ā¤ļø?ā¤ļø It was fabulous… Every room every space was so beautiful .. I enjoyed every minute of my scroll .. I could feel your love in every room .. Your love for your family and for God āļø Thank you for sharing …Merry Christmas to you and your family ā¤ļø??xoxo Gayle Neal
Aw, Gayle, I appreciate that very much, and I’m so glad you stopped by. You are always just so supportive and kind! Merry Christmas! xoxo
Such a gorgeous tour– I love your style! And I so love that you shared your heart as well. I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one who has some chaos going on behind these styled shots! Congrats on the upcoming arrival of your new baby girl too– so exciting! Hope you’re having a wonderful week, Laura!
~Abby =)
The chaos never stops, does it Abby? Just as I finish up one thing, the girls have taken apart something else š But that’s life, right? Thank you so much for stopping by! I loved your tour! xoxo
Your home is so inviting and gorgeous! Love every part. Your mix of warm wood and white looks amazing.
Thanks so much, Laura! I just loved your tour, and your home is so cozy and inviting! Thanks so much! xoxo
Each details is so delicate! Thanks for sharing it. Voting for you. Merry and Bright my Dear. Hugs. Monika
That is so kind of you, Monika! Thank you so much! Merry Christmas! xoxo
Oh my word, this is gorgeous! I’m so glad I found you! Happy holidays.
Hugs, Jamie
That’s so nice of you – thanks, Jamie! I’m happy you found me too! Thanks for popping in! xoxo
Your home is so beautiful!
Aw, thanks so much, Kellie! I’m so happy you stopped by! I was really hoping to meet you today… Hopefully sometime soon! š xoxo
Hi Laura! Your home is so beautiful! Would you mind sharing where the countertop stools are from in your kitchen? I love them! Thanks, Christine
Hi Christine! Of course! They’re from World Market and they’re called the French Bistro Barstool š Thanks for stopping by! xoxo
What a beautiful home you have, Laura! I think this is my first time visiting your blog and I love everything I see!
That is so sweet of you, Jennifer! I’m so happy you popped in! Merry Christmas!! xoxo
Where are the gold lights above the island from?
Hi Beth! I ordered them from Home Depot in the fall of 2015, but they’ve been discontinued, unfortunately š Circa lighting makes one that looks just like it but it’s costs more than what I paid for these. I’m looking for a knockoff and I will definitely share if I find one!!